Sometimes, you stare into your pantry, and it feels like there’s nothing to eat, but you can turn all those basic ingredients into real meals that are simple, tasty, and actually pretty fun to make. So if you are wondering what to cook without making a big mess or running out to buy more stuff, here are 15 easy meals you can make:
Peanut Butter Pasta
Cooking pasta and tossing it with a spoonful of peanut butter, soy sauce, and a few drops of hot water can create a creamy, savory sauce that sticks beautifully to the noodles. Crushed peanuts or sesame seeds on top add crunch without needing anything fancy from the fridge or a long grocery list.
Tuna Rice Bowls
When you mix a can of tuna with cooked rice and a drizzle of olive oil or mayo, you get a simple but rich-tasting bowl that feels a little like sushi without all the work. If you sprinkle it with whatever seeds or seasoning you have around, it turns into a meal that feels planned even when it was really just about tossing pantry stuff together.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Canned chickpeas can turn into a filling sandwich spread just by smashing them up with mayo, mustard, and some seasoning you already have. The mix becomes thick, creamy, and slightly tangy, and it tastes like classic egg salad without any eggs. Stuff it into a bread pita, or even wrap it in a tortilla for a fast, hearty lunch when you’re low on fresh groceries.
Rice and Canned Soup Bake
When you stir cooked rice into a can of soup, especially creamy ones like mushroom or chicken, and then bake it for a few minutes, it turns into a thick, cozy casserole that feels way more homemade than just heating the soup alone and you can toss in any canned vegetables you find to make it even more filling without much effort.
Pancake Mix Biscuits
Pancake mix is one of those things that can turn into way more than just pancakes. By adding less water (than what’s written on the packet) to the mix and scooping out sticky blobs onto a baking tray, you can bake fluffy biscuits that are slightly sweet and perfect for layering with peanut butter, jelly, or whatever canned goods you have on hand. It’s an easy trick that makes you feel like you baked something fancy without actually trying too hard.
Spicy Ramen Stir-Fry
When you cook instant ramen without too much water and stir-fry it quickly with a splash of soy sauce and some chili flakes, it becomes a sticky, spicy noodle dish that feels bold and satisfying, and if you happen to have frozen peas or corn, throwing them in gives it a pop of sweetness and color without needing a trip to the store.
PB&J Oat Bars
If you mix oats with peanut butter and a little jelly, press it into a pan, and chill it, you get chewy, sweet bars that taste like a soft granola bar without needing to bake, and they are perfect for those times when you want a snack that feels homemade. You don’t really need to turn on the oven or do anything complicated to make these bars.
Salsa Rice Skillet
When you stir a few big spoonfuls of salsa into a pan of cooked rice, something magical happens because all the tomatoes, peppers, and onions from the salsa soak into the rice and give it a bright, bold flavor that feels way fancier than just plain rice. If you throw in a can of black beans, some corn, or even a little shredded cheese, you can make a one-pan meal.
Oatmeal with Jam Swirl
Plain oatmeal can feel pretty boring when you’re eating it day after day, but if you swirl in a big spoonful of jam while it’s still hot, it melts into colorful ribbons that make every bite taste sweet and very interesting. You don’t need any fresh fruit or fancy toppings because the jam does all the work for you, turning a basic bowl of oats into something that actually feels special and homemade with almost no effort at all.
Cracker Nachos
When you spread out crackers on a plate, sprinkle shredded cheese or even a few spoonfuls of canned cheese, and microwave it until everything’s melty, you get a crispy, cheesy snack that feels like nachos even though you didn’t use tortilla chips, and adding a little salsa or hot sauce on top makes it feel like a full plate of comfort food.
Instant Couscous Pilaf
Couscous is one of the quickest pantry staples you can have because all you have to do is pour boiling water over it, cover it for a few minutes, and then fluff it up into soft, tiny grains that are perfect for making a quick pilaf. Stir in some dried fruit like raisins, a handful of nuts, or even a can of chickpeas if you have them, and drizzle a little olive oil or some drops of lemon juice to make it feel fresh and light.
Canned Tomato Pasta Sauce
When you blend canned tomatoes with a little olive oil, garlic powder, and whatever herbs you find, it turns into a fresh-tasting pasta sauce that feels lighter and brighter than the thick jarred ones. When you pour it over pasta with a little cheese if you have it, it feels like a meal someone spent a lot of time on even though it took less than ten minutes.
Powdered Soup Noodle Bowl
Powdered soup mix can do a lot more than just make a boring cup of soup because if you cook some noodles and stir the soup powder into the hot water with just a little less liquid, it turns into a thick and creamy sauce that coats all the noodles perfectly. You can toss in frozen veggies and canned corn, and in just a few minutes, you’ve got a filling meal that feels rich and comforting without much work.
Bean and Corn Quesadillas
When you mash canned beans and mix them with canned corn, then spread it between two tortillas and cook until crispy, you get a warm, cheesy quesadilla that feels like a restaurant snack, and even if you don’t have cheese, the beans get creamy enough that it still tastes rich and satisfying without needing much else at all.
Canned Fruit Crumble
If you have a can of fruit and a little bit of oats and sugar, you can bake a warm, bubbling crumble that tastes like the kind of dessert people make from scratch even though it takes almost no effort. Just pour the fruit into a baking dish, mix oats with a little sugar and butter or oil, and sprinkle the mix on top before baking until it turns golden.
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